893.00/8023: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:35 p.m.]
20. Following from American company [consul general,] Shanghai:32
“January 8, 6 p.m. Following sent after consulting Armstrong33 who is repeating same message to commander in chief:34
In view of recent unexpected turn of events up river which obviously exceeds situation contemplated on point 2,35 it is recommended that in order to give adequate protection to foreign life and property at Shanghai and to attempt to prevent seizure of Settlement and cannonading foreign-occupied area by mob violence as at Hankow and Kiushu, landing forces Shanghai should be increased to available maximum immediately upon Sun Ch’uan-fang’s36 initial defeat or indications of any local disorders. Situation Shanghai at present outwardly quiet but highly inflammable upon initial defeat of Sun by Southern forces as is probable.
Events in Hankow [and] Kiukiang, give adequate indication of intention of radical element of Nationalist[s] in my telegram of December 30, 3 p.m.37 The Legation appreciates that no distinction as to nationalities will be possible at Shanghai, all foreign lives and interests being equally in danger in the event of mob disturbances.”
- Clarence E. Gauss was in charge of consulate general at Shanghai Sept. 8, 1926, to June 7, 1927, in absence of Consul General Edwin S. Cunningham.↩
- Commander Eldred B. Armstrong, U. S. N., commanding the U. S. S. Asheville of the Asiatic Fleet.↩
- Admiral Clarence S. Williams, U. S. N., commander in chief, Asiatic Fleet.↩
- See telegram No. 627, Dec. 19, 1926, from the Minister in China, Foreign Relations, 1926, vol. i, p. 662.↩
- Military overlord of Provinces of Kiangsu, Kiangsi, Chekiang, Fukien, and Anhwei, and concurrently director general of Shanghai and Woosung Port Administration, allied with Peking Government.↩
- Not found in Department files.↩